If you’re afraid of snakes, you might want to look away now.
Stunning images of one of the world’s largest snake species – the anaconda – have been revealed by brave photographer and explorer Julian Gunther, who dived underwater to come within inches of their massive subjects.
The Texas-based photographer’s photos show anacondas – some up to seven meters long – winding around branches in the waterways of South America’s tropical Pantanal swamp. Other shots focus on the snakes’ heads, showing their forked tongues and glassy eyes lost in the darkness of the water.
Capturing such candid photos of these elusive creatures requires a lot of planning – and awareness of the warning signs that prompt the snakes to be left alone. Julian, 44, told MailOnline Travel: “In order to handle animals of this caliber properly and safely, you need to do a lot of background research into their behaviour, tendencies, warning signs and so on.”
It’s important to give anacondas an escape route and not corner them, Julian reveals. He says, “Adult humans are not on the anaconda menu. The only reason an anaconda would maul a human would be if you harassed them and/or cornered them with no escape. When “When an animal feels threatened and given the option to fight or flee, wild animals almost always choose the escape option.”
Stunning images of one of the world’s largest snake species – the anaconda – have been revealed by intrepid photographer and explorer Julian Gunther
The Brazilian-born, Texas-based photographer dives underwater to get within inches of his large subjects
Julian – who shares his incredible photos on Instagram – says it’s a common misconception that anacondas are hyper-aggressive and will attack anything that gets in their way. ‘.
The 1997 horror film Anaconda starring Jennifer Lopez and rapper Ice Cube, which followed a team of filmmakers trying to track down a giant green anaconda, probably played a role in people’s unfounded fear of the snakes. A box office success that inspired several sequels.
Julian explains: “Anacondas do not actively hunt organisms like an adult human, as it is doubtful that they could consume an adult and there is a risk that they would seriously injure themselves if they tried. The only confirmed anaconda attacks on humans were for defensive reasons or because the animal felt threatened, not because of attempted predation.’
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the photographer says that as soon as he sees an anaconda to photograph, he enters the water “slowly and carefully”. Line.’
Julian’s photos show anacondas twisting around branches in the waterways of the tropical Pantanal swamp in South America.
“Slowly and carefully” Julian enters the water as soon as he sees an anaconda that he can photograph. He explains: “We don’t want to appear threatening and possibly scare off the snake.”
It’s a common misconception that anacondas are hyper-aggressive and will attack anything in their path, Julian reveals
“Adult humans are not on the menu for anacondas,” says Julian, adding, “Anacondas will not actively prey on organisms such as an adult human, as it would be doubtful that they could consume an adult and there is a risk that they may become seriously involved.” injured if they try’
Handling anacondas properly and safely requires a lot of background research into their behavior, tendencies and warning signs, Julian reveals.
Sometimes anacondas can approach his camera in the middle of the shot, Julian reveals, but he is careful to keep a cool head. He says: “If a snake approaches you, which it sometimes does, allow it to happen and do not make any sudden or sudden movements. He usually comes forward to inspect your camera and returns when he’s done.’
However, he admits that his first encounter with an adult anaconda threw him a little. Julian, who has also dived and photographed great white sharks and crocodiles in the past, says: “The first time I came face to face with an adult anaconda (six to seven meters), I was nervous. Turning the snake towards me definitely made the blood flow faster, but I remembered what I had read and my experiences with other animals and just stayed calm and let the interaction flow. The snake spent about 20 to 30 seconds moving its tongue over my camera and examining it, then casually returned to its previous position. At that point I knew he was comfortable with me and I could slowly walk up to him for more photos.”
Finding anacondas requires expertise, but the fact that they can be found in the Pantanal all year round makes the task a little easier. Julian says: “We try to time our expeditions in the dry season, which luckily is also usually the coldest weather. Ideally, you want a cold but sunny day when the snakes are basking on the river bank and can be spotted more easily. An advantage of anacondas is that they are also territorial. So if you’ve seen a snake before, especially a big one, in a certain part of the river, chances are you’ll see it again in that area.
Julian, who has dual US-Brazilian citizenship, and his fellow explorers sail aluminum boats down the Pantanal’s tributaries, scanning the riverbanks and fallen trees to see if they can spot anacondas. He says: “The snakes often support themselves in the water on submerged or partially submerged branches.
Anacondas are often referred to as “water boas” because they spend so much time in the water. Even a two meter long snake can be easily overlooked when it is sitting among some fallen logs on the riverbed. They often go into the water to hide when they realize they have been spotted.”
Sometimes anacondas can approach his camera in the middle of the shot, Julian reveals, but he is careful to keep a cool head
Anacondas are often called “water boas” because they spend so much time in the water, Julian notes
Recalling the first time he saw an anaconda at the zoo as a child, Julian says, “I remember being absolutely blown away when I saw these huge reptiles.”
What surprised him the most about shooting those snakes? Says Julian, “Without hesitation, their docile nature… every large anaconda we encountered either inspected us and then ignored us, or didn’t even bother to inspect us and just ignored us.”
As a child, Julian first encountered an anaconda in a day at the Rio de Janeiro Zoo. He says: “I remember being absolutely blown away by the sight of these gigantic reptiles… Adult anacondas are already huge, but even more so from the eyes of a four-year-old.”
Later in life, his curiosity about the creatures grew. He says, “I’ve read a lot of Brazilian myths and folklore about anacondas and other animals, and I’ve always been fascinated to see them up close.”
Photographing reptiles and marine life in their natural habitat has become a lifelong passion for Julian, who regularly goes on expeditions with his wife – who both pass on their love of wildlife to their daughter.
He says: “As our daughter gets older, she will eventually join the journey. She is almost four years old, and tonight at dinner she told me she “wants to go see the manatees and sea lions with Daddy.”
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
